League weekend: All the hurling action previewed

By Eoin Ryan

The Allianz Hurling League roared into action last weekend with a series of upsets in the opening round of games.

Kilkenny, Galway and Dublin all defied the odds to win in Division 1A, though whether the league and All-Ireland champions should have been such heavy underdogs against Cork is questionable - even allowing for the retirement of key men and their lack of Walsh Cup action.

It's doubtful the bookies will make the same mistake again, despite Ger Cunningham's new-look Dubs also making a statement of intent with a 12-point win over All-Ireland finalists Tipperary.

The Dubs travel to face Kilkenny in Nowlan Park while Cork and Clare, who lost narrowly to Galway first day out, will both be aiming to bounce back at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday.

Tipperary will have a point to prove as they host Galway and will hope to avoid another relegation battle: they ended up needing to beat Dublin to avoid a play-off last year.

In 1B, Limerick and Waterford's draw could make scoring difference crucial to the promotion race. They face Antrim and Laois, respectively, while Offaly and Wexford, who will also have their sights set on going up, face off in Tullamore.

Division 1A

Saturday 21 February

Cork v Clare, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7pm (Live on Setanta Ireland)

Former Tipperary captain Eoin Kelly was surprised by Cork's lacklustre showing against Kilkenny, late rally aside.

"I thought after the All-Ireland semi-final defeat [to Tipperary] last year that they'd show massive drive and determination for that one but it didn't happen," he told RTÉ Sport.

"I think you'll see a better performance from Cork on Saturday night but Clare are not coming down to roll over either so I'm expecting a ferocious battle.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see a few cards here because I think both sides will be going at it very hard.

"These teams seem to be stuck together the last couple of years and they could both come out of it with a point."

Eoin Kelly's verdict: Draw

Sunday 21 February

Kilkenny v Dublin, Nowlan Park, 2pm (Live on TG4)

A Kilkenny side allegedly in transition might have surprised many observers with their display against Cork but they didn't surprise Kelly.

"This is the Brian Cody mentality. His mantra is 'every game is important'," said Kelly. "It comes from the club scene in Kilkenny, which is so competitive. You can see it in the players at every level.

"Brian Cody also now has a few guys on his panel that are in their third or fourth year, the likes of Jonjo Farrell and Mark Kelly. These guys now have to show him that they are championship players. He doesn't hang on to guys for six or seven years.

"That's two reasons why, when it comes to a league match or Walsh cup match, you see the consistent performance with Kilkenny and I think we saw that again last week.

"Look at Walter Walsh. He started the first All-ireland, lost his place for the replay. He would have been thinking 'If I get my chance this year,' and he's leading from the front so far.

"For Dublin, Ger Cunningham has put his own stamp on the team. You can see that with Michael Carton at full-back, he sets up the attacks from back there with his hurling ability.

"The formidable line for me the last day was the half-back line, that was the launching pad for their success, and he has a hit-man up front in Liam Rushe who can win his own possession, take a score and take tackles.

"In Danny Sutcliffe they have one of the best all-round hurlers in the country. He has been a thorn in Kilkenny's side the last two years and seems to relish playing against them. I'd expect Kilkenny to edge it but it'll be very close."

Eoin Kelly's verdict: Kilkenny

Tipperary v Galway, Semple Stadium, 2pm (Deferred on TG4)

Tipperary were poor in defeat to Dublin, the latest in a series of disappointing opening-round games, according to Kelly.

"It seems to be the trend over the last couple of seasons in the league that Tipp get off to a very poor start," he reflected. "If you look at our last game up in Parnell Park in 2010 we got a bit of a hiding as well.

"After a good season, if Tipperary win or get to an All-Ireland [final] complacency seems to set in.

"In 2009 we got to the final and were unlucky not to beat Kilkenny. Everyone was saying 'Ye will be back again next year' and we did get back but we had to take a lot of hits and knocks along the way to get out of that mentality.

"It was a very poor start, because they would have been hoping to follow on from the performances in last year's All-Ireland championship and keep that consistency up.

"The disappointing thing about the Dublin game was that the fighting spirit wasn't there until the bitter end. With the exception of John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer, no-one else seemed to have that desire.

"I wouldn't be hitting the panic button yet though and I think they'll bounce back this weekend in Thurles. It mightn't be a convincing win but I think, psychologically, Tipp have it over Galway at the moment.

"Under Eamon O'Shea they've only lost one game [to Galway] between league and championship.

"Every team at home seems to really value the two points and I think Tipperary will get over the line.

"I was impressed with Galway's young fellas, that they took up the mantle [against Clare] when Joe Canning and Conor Cooney weren't there.

"Jason Flynn's [winning] free from out on the sideline, with the crowd roaring in injury-time, that'll do his confidence the world of good. Anthony Cunningham will know he's a big-game player.

"Cathal Mannion got a great goal and Johnny Glynn is growing into a massive team player, he set up the two goals and scored two points himself from play."

Eoin Kelly's verdict: Tipperary

Division 1B

Saturday 21 February

Waterford v Laois, Fraher Field, 7pm (Live on Setanta Sports 1)

"Limerick and Waterford drew last week and they'd be the two teams who probably have the highest ambitions of coming out of the group," says RTÉ hurling analyst Joe Dooley.

"That draw leaves both teams under a little bit of pressure. It would come down to scoring difference in the end if they were to keep winning.

"It means too that anyone facing either of those two teams for the remainder of the league, they are going to be looking for scoring difference. That will make it difficult for Laois in Waterford on Saturday.

"Laois got a setback by losing to Offaly. That defeat will probably bring them back down to earth a bit. They're in need of points now as well.

"I'd expect a bit of a backlash from them but you'd have to fancy Waterford. They looked very sharp last week against Limerick away. They were unlucky not get the win.

"I like Derek McGrath's style of management. He's very down to earth. He seems to be giving all the young lads a chance and they're playing a good brand of hurling as well. They're a team to watch out for in the year ahead."

Joe Dooley's verdict: Waterford

OTHER SATURDAY FIXTURE
Division 2A
London v Carlow, Ruislip, 1pm

Sunday 22 February

Offaly v Wexford, O'Connor Park, 2pm

"I suppose it was unusual [to see Offaly as underdogs against Laois] but going on our form throughout last year, and even in the Walsh Cup this year, our form wouldn't have been anywhere near as good as Laois,'" said Dooley.

"But in fairness to the lads on the night they took the game to Laois and hurled very well. I was delighted for Brian Whelehan and the team, who have had a lot of criticism locally.

"They'll be going into the Wexford game with a good bit more confidence than they had before.

"Wexford were lucky to get the win last weekend against Antrim so I think there'll be a backlash from Liam Dunne and his team this weekend.

"It's a 50-50 game but if I had to call it I'd probably have to fancy Wexford. They're minus Tomas Waters and Andrew Shore but they have Matthew O'Hanlon and Liam Ryan back, two All-Star nominees."

Joe Dooley's verdict: Wexford

Antrim v Limerick, Ballycastle, 2pm

"Kevin Ryan is doing a great job in Antrim," said Dooley. "They have a very settled team and I wasn't a bit surprised that Wexford didn't beat them by much.

"Antrim will see that as a missed opportunity. At this stage of their development they won't be happy with running teams close. Nobody in the division is going to get any easy game against them.

"Limerick will have been disappointed not to have got the win last weekend. You'd have to fancy Limerick to win it but I'd expect Antrim to run them close up there."

Joe Dooley's verdict: Limerick

Watch highlights of the weekend's action on League Sunday on RTÉ2 at 7.30pm.

Viewers outside of Ireland the world can watch this weekend's live games via GAAGO.

Division 2A

Wicklow v Kerry, Arklow, 1pm

Derry v Westmeath, Owenbeg, 2pm

Division 2B

Kildare v Down, Newbridge, 2pm

Mayo v Meath, Castlebar, 2pm

Armagh v Donegal, Athletic Grounds, 2pm

Division 3A

Louth v Fermanagh, Darver, 2pm

Monaghan v Roscommon, Castleblayney, 2pm

Fingal v Tyrone, Parnells, 2pm

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

League weekend: All the hurling action previewed

Dengan url

http://olahragaenjoy.blogspot.com/2015/02/league-weekend-all-hurling-action_21.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

League weekend: All the hurling action previewed

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

League weekend: All the hurling action previewed

sebagai sumbernya

Olahraga Enjoy